Are Poppy Plants Illegal?

Only one type of poppy species is illegal to grow.

Opium gets extracted from several species of poppies. But according to Texas A&M University's AgriLife Extension, only one species, the papaver sonniferm, cannot be grown legally. Species such as California, Iceland and oriental poppies make great additions to the garden with their bright, colorful blooms and feathery foliage.

Legal Species

Perennial Iceland poppies bloom from midsummer into the fall, then again from spring to fall if the flowers are deadheaded before they turn to seed. California poppies also bloom for long periods with orange to yellow blooms opening only on sunny days. Oriental poppies produce intensely colored blooms for a few short weeks.

Growing

Poppy seeds get planted in the fall on bare soil in fully sunny areas of the garden. If the seed bed is kept moist, the seeds will germinate in a week. Once you've established poppies in your garden, the plants will self-sow in the fall in warmer climates or in the spring in cooler regions.

Uses

Use poppies to add waves of color to the garden or landscape. The plants work well in dry areas, with most species highly drought resistant. You'll find poppy seeds are often mixed in with other wildflower mixes because they're so easy and quick to grow.

References

• US Forest Service: Celebrating Wildflowers Plant of the Week: California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)
• Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension: Poppy

Resources

• Purdue University Horticulture & Landscape Architecture: Papaver Somniferum L.